OEM Backup Camera Gridlines On Chassis Cab

[Wiredawg]

Friends,
Just sharing my 2017 Ram 5500 is at my favorite 5 Star Dealer Bluebonnet Ram in New Braunfels TX where the techs are working with FCA to enable grid lines on my backup camera. Interesting, FCA has disabled this feature on Chassis Cabs, supposedly due to fear of liability from upfitters not installing the camera centered and at at correct vertical range. Mine is centered and in that vertical range.

My truck is a Laramie with the 8.4 Navigation and has the option select in the safety settings to turn gridlines on and off. Even selected on, no gridlines. Could I live without the feature sure. Do i want to, no. I like the grid lines as it is easier to reference distance , object distance relationships, and true center. When backing to connect one of my pull behind trailers, I barely see the top back of trailer ball. Takes a couple tries to nail it. I realized how much easier it is to do it with grid lines when I used my wife's 2019 Ram 1500 to tow my 20' enclosed car hauler. Went right to it first try. And when you have an $80K truck like my 5500, why wouldn't you want all the cake with icing and ice cream?

This is the best dealer. The shop foreman is personally working on it with FCA. It helps I'm convelesing from surgery and can do without the truck for weeks. They are creating great documentation trail for me in the event I need to elevate a claim to FCA. I'm sure formally, FCA legal will have to sign off either an exception to policy for just me or a provision to enable this feature when proper installation criteria are certified. I do understand the liability issue FCA has: damaging property or killing/injuring someone due to backing with improperly installed backup camera could be contributary negligence. BUT, with a properly installed camera....

On the Ram website, 2019 Ram Chassis Cab "build and price " has not been enabled yet, but 2019 Ram Chassis Cab screen shows view of backup camera with surround view cameras without gridlines.

Unfortunately for me, not lots of folks owning high end cab and chassis to complain or know to complain about not having gridlines for the ones who even have OEM backup camera feature.

Anyway, just thought I would share and will update as I make progress.

Cheers,

Ron

 

[lpennock]

You may be able to do it with AlphaOBD. There is options for static and dynamic grid lines in the Body Control Module settings.

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks, just forwarded to service dept.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Ozymandias]

Could also depend on the Camera itself.
On my, non factory, Setup I had to buy the camera for this feature.

So maybe you could try with the Cam from a standard Pickup with lines, especially in that case that your 8.4 shows the switch for the lines to turn on.

 

[Wiredawg]

Could also depend on the Camera itself.
On my, non factory, Setup I had to buy the camera for this feature.

So maybe you could try with the Cam from a standard Pickup with lines, especially in that case that your 8.4 shows the switch for the lines to turn on.

Yep, dealer did this already swapped the camera that came with the truck, per FCA insrtructions, so maybe now turn it on in the body control module.

Cheers,

Ron

 

[TFucili]

Definitely interested to see how this goes.

 

[Wiredawg]

Definitely interested to see how this goes.

Yep, me too. I'm almost giddy. And, something to point out, I'm a good customer. Not just I bought 5 Ram Cummins trucks, but I'm kind, courteous, and respectful with the folks at the dealership. And so are they.

Cheers, Ron

 

[lpennock]

Could also depend on the Camera itself.
On my, non factory, Setup I had to buy the camera for this feature.

So maybe you could try with the Cam from a standard Pickup with lines, especially in that case that your 8.4 shows the switch for the lines to turn on.

The grid lines are in the display. I'm using a CC camera as an extension camera when I have my camper on. The grid lines are there the same as when I'm using my tailgate mounted camera.

BTW: Since I have the camera mounted level rather than point down some I get goal posts of sorts.

 

[Wiredawg]

You may be able to do it with AlphaOBD. There is options for static and dynamic grid lines in the Body Control Module settings.

Just thought I'd share I purchased AlphaOBD and a recommended OBDLinkMX+ Bluetooth adapter.

Truck is still at the dealer AND I'm still recovering from surgery, so will be a while before I get to check out this stuff. What's cool though, I can use this on my Jeep and my wife's truck, so I like it already.

I'm letting the dealer keep working on the truck and compiling documentation. If they get the gridlines working, great, if not, file a claim and arbitration. Sometimes you gotta be like a dog with a bone.

However, backup plan is to relocate the factory backup camera from the back of the truck to the headache rack and use for lining up the fifth wheel and install a camera with gridlines where the OEM backup camera was and display on my Edge Insight. Bought two cameras on Amazon and will use an AB RCA switch to toggle between the new backup camera and the other one I'm going to install on the front of the truck and power them through one of my aux programable switches.

So, does it show I have too much time on my hands recovering. You betcha!

Cheers and beers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

The grid lines are in the display. I'm using a CC camera as an extension camera when I have my camper on. The grid lines are there the same as when I'm using my tailgate mounted camera.

BTW: Since I have the camera mounted level rather than point down some I get goal posts of sorts.

Interesting, I believe you are right on the FCA setup that the gridlines are part of the infotainment system or part of the BCM or at least allowed or blocked by the BCM.

Research has found Edge Insight appears to not have gridlines provided by their camera. Edge now doesn't provide gridlines anymore with their $179 backup camera, according to unhappy customers reviews. I found a few posts where Edge Insight owners found $30 aftermarket cameras that work just fine and even better. Bought two for $23 EA on Amazon with factory one year warranty.

So, I got this covered, either dealer fixes or I move things around and with more capbility.

Cheers and Beers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Just got word from my Ram 5-Star Dealer Service Writer after they worked with Star tech support for over a month that FCA final word at this level, the gridlines cannot be activated on Cab and Chassis trucks, period. Dealer is compiling all the documentation so I can file a formal complaint with FCA to activate the gridlines on my truck. I'll take it all the way to arbitration, but no plans to hire a lawyer or anything like that.

I purchased the AlphaOBD software, their recommended Bluetooth OBD II reader/interface, so Ill look and see if this is something I can do. If not, I had purchased the FCA 30' backup camera extension cable, install the factory backup camera in a small housing, and move it to my tow body headache rack, and aim it at my 5th wheel hitch. Then I won't have to stand/lean in the driver's seat to hitch 5th wheel. I'll install my aftermarket cameras with gridlines as mentioned above for using my Edge Insight monitor.

Wife is going after the 5500 Monday (its Friday today) and turning in her 2019 Ram 1500 for recall work (adjustable pedal replacement). I'll let y'all know success of my workaround and status of my complaint. May not be successful on the complaint, but at least it will formally document the problem and need for this feature.

I give the dealer high marks for taking the time to work this to ground. They could have stopped when FCA first said it wasn't allowed on Cab and Chassis trucks last year.

Cheers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

I purchased the AlphaOBD software, their recommended Bluetooth OBD II reader/interface, so Ill look and see if this is something I can do.

I’ve been reading about that software. It appears that it can enable lots of stuff.

I have an appointment with Ram next month to try to enable some stuff with the WiTech that AlphaOBD can do... if they can’t I’ll probably look at AlphaOBD a little more.

 

[Wiredawg]

I’ve been reading about that software. It appears that it can enable lots of stuff.

I have an appointment with Ram next month to try to enable some stuff with the WiTech that AlphaOBD can do... if they can’t I’ll probably look at AlphaOBD a little more.

What I like about the AlphaOBD software, I can use it on my Jeep Wrangler and my wife's 2019 Ram 1500 (basically any FCA product with OBDII), so I can do a lot with this. 50 bucks and lifetime updates and one of the recommended Bluetooth OBD II interfaces, not bad for the advertised capability. I'm fighting my urge to try to do something with my ankle, so likely no further reports on the AlphaOBD app for several more weeks until I get mobile again from surgery.

There is only one negative: the icon is a Fiat 500, right up there on the ugly meter with Yugos and all the other poop-box cars. I'm getting over it, though.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,
I just found on the Ram website on Cab and Chassis features, that Ram deliberately updated/added gridlines to their picture of a C&C with backup camera.

Below is the same website a month ago. I asked dealer to email FCA Star Tech to share with their FCA marketing brethren to get their story/pictures in sync.

Unbelievable!

Cheers, Ron

 

[TFucili]

Those of us who were "promised" Jacobs exhaust brake compatibility for '05 48RE trucks know too well what happens when Chrysler washes their hands of something.

 

[TFucili]

This doesn't speak directly to your issue, but thought I'd post it anyway.

 

[Wiredawg]

This doesn't speak directly to your issue, but thought I'd post it anyway.

Thank you. I printed this and gave it to the dealer asking them to get Star Tech to follow setup for guidelines. Looks like Star Tech doesn't elevate issues within their system, so going to file customer complaint.

Appreciate your effort!

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,
Picked up my 5500 today and read the case documentation: The dealer replaced the camera and the Infotainment system. What came out of it, there is a circuit physically missing on cab and chassis's that prevents gridlines from working. I'm going to look at my FCA OEM Service Manual and see if I can find this circuit. Might be able to "add" it. My hat's off to the dealer for trying everything to make this work.

I filed a complaint on the Ram Upfitter Website so we'll see what they say...I'm thinking they won't modify the wiring harness to make this work.

If there is any other development on this, I will share with you.

Cheers,

Ron

 

[gsbrockman]

Friends,
Picked up my 5500 today and read the case documentation: The dealer replaced the camera and the Infotainment system. What came out of it, there is a circuit physically missing on cab and chassis's that prevents gridlines from working. I'm going to look at my FCA OEM Service Manual and see if I can find this circuit. Might be able to "add" it. My hat's off to the dealer for trying everything to make this work.

I filed a complaint on the Ram Upfitter Website so we'll see what they say...I'm thinking they won't modify the wiring harness to make this work.

If there is any other development on this, I will share with you.

Cheers,

Ron

Since you now have the Alfa OBD deal, what I’d suggest doing is trying to find someone near you with a 3500 pickup that also has Alfa OBD, then run a configuration printout for both trucks, and see what is enabled on the pickup in regards to the backup lines.

At that time—-hopefully you can either enable on your Cab & Chassis, unless it is “grayed” out.

It really has not been an issue for me, but I just have the rear mounted backup camera. As far as gooseneck trailer hookups are concerned, I can look over my toolbox and still see the ball. I understand those with a larger box or fuel tank don’t have that luxury.

 

[Wiredawg]

I found a schematic of a ram backup camera and found the circuit in it the techs say is missing, D403 from the rear camera to the Body Control Module (BCM). So, when I'm mobile again (8 weeks), I'll connect the AlphaOBD to my truck and see what options are available. I will also check the truck wiring to see if I can find a spare wire or run an additional one from the camera to the BCM.

Thanks for the info.

Cheers, Ron